Memphis
Educational Tours
& Student Trips

Memphis is one of the most significant destinations in the country for students studying the American Civil Rights Movement. The city was a focal point of the struggle for racial justice, and the events that unfolded here, culminating in the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Lorraine Motel in April 1968, mark a turning point in 20th-century American history. A Memphis civil rights tour lets students walk the actual ground where that history happened, moving beyond the textbook to a deeper understanding of the movement’s leaders, sacrifices, and lasting impact.

ETA builds dedicated civil rights student trips that connect the National Civil Rights Museum, the Living Legacy Project, and other significant sites into a cohesive learning experience. Students trace the arc of the movement from the era of slavery through the landmark legislation of the 1960s and into the ongoing work for equity today, with programming tailored to the grade level and curriculum goals of your group. For history, social studies, and civics classes, few experiences are as powerful or as memorable.

Graceland is one of the most visited private homes in the United States and the permanent home and resting place of Elvis Presley, the “King of Rock and Roll” whose sound helped define rock and roll and whose influence reshaped American popular music. For students studying American music history, 20th-century history, or the cultural changes of the postwar era, Graceland is a direct window into the forces that transformed entertainment, race, and identity in mid-century America. The estate’s museums and archives document not just Elvis’s life but the broader story of how Memphis became the birthplace of a sound that changed the world. ETA coordinates group pricing and guided programming to make the most of your time on the grounds.

The National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel is one of the most significant educational institutions in the United States. Built around the site where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968, the museum documents the full arc of the American Civil Rights Movement from the era of slavery through the landmark legislation of the 1960s and into the ongoing struggle for equity and justice. Students walk through reconstructed scenes, original artifacts, and immersive exhibits that make the history visceral and immediate. Few museum experiences anywhere in the country have the power to shift a student’s understanding of American history the way the National Civil Rights Museum does. It is a cornerstone of any serious Memphis itinerary.

The Living Legacy Project is a Memphis-based initiative dedicated to honoring the individuals who carried the Civil Rights Movement in its most dangerous years, connecting today’s students with living witnesses to history. Through in-person presentations, oral history programming, and community engagement, the Living Legacy Project brings students into direct conversation with people who marched, organized, and risked their lives for equality. For civics, history, and social justice programs, this kind of direct intergenerational connection to history is irreplaceable. ETA works with the Living Legacy Project to incorporate age-appropriate programming into Memphis itineraries, giving students an experience that no textbook can provide.

The Memphis Zoo is consistently ranked among the top zoos in the country, home to more than 3,500 animals representing over 500 species across beautifully designed habitats. The zoo’s giant panda habitat, Northwest Passage polar bear exhibit, and Africa! Veldt are standout attractions, and the zoo’s conservation and education programming is tailored to student groups at every level. For science and biology, the Memphis Zoo offers hands-on opportunities to study animal behavior, conservation biology, and ecological diversity in a world-class facility. It also provides a natural change of pace within a Memphis itinerary that otherwise focuses heavily on history and social studies, giving students time to explore, reflect, and recharge.

With more than 30 years planning educational travel, Educational Travel Adventures has helped over 20,000 educators create unforgettable student trips throughout the United States’ most dynamic learning destinations. Memphis offers a convergence of American music history, Civil Rights history, living oral history, and natural science that makes it one of the most affecting educational destinations in the country. From the gates of Graceland to the balcony of the Lorraine Motel, students engage directly with the forces that shaped 20th-century America and the ongoing struggle for justice that continues today.

• Custom Memphis itineraries built around your curriculum, grade level, and group goals
• End-to-end trip planning, including Graceland reservations, museum programming, Living Legacy Project scheduling, zoo visits, lodging, and ground logistics
• Secure online registration and family payment portal with flexible payment options
• Proven safety and on-site support, including vetted partners, 24/7 assistance, and experienced Tour Managers throughout the Memphis trip

Planning a Memphis school trip means balancing emotionally significant historical sites with music history, natural science, and appropriate pacing for your student group. Our team handles every detail so educators can stay focused on their students and the learning that happens between the stops.